The Seven Sacraments
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (R.C.I.A.) is the process for adults to enter the church community in order to participate in the sacraments.
| We respond with faith and love in: | What Jesus does for us: | Scripture: | What we see and hear: |
| Baptism | He gives us new life as children of God. | No one can enter the kingdom without being born of water and the Spirit. John 3:5 | Water Poured -"I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." |
Confirmation Confirmation Video | He gives us His Holy Spirit so that we can act as responsible Christians. | The Holy Spirit will be My witness, and you, too will be witnesses. John 15:26-27 | Chrism (oil) - "Receive the seal of the Holy Spirit, the Gift of the Father." |
| Holy Eucharist | He gives us His own Person, His Body and His Blood as food. | Do this as a memorial of Me. Luke22:19 | Bread and wine - "This is my body. This is the cup of my blood." |
Reconciliation Video about Confession | He gives us peace and freedom by forgiving our sins. | Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven. John 20:23 | Confession with sorrow and desire to change - "through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of hte Holy Spirit." |
| Anointing of the Sick | He restores spiritual strength and health. | If one of you is ill, he should send for the priests of the Church. James 5:14 | Oil for the sick - "Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in His love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit." |
Holy Orders VIDEO - You are a priest forever. | He gives His priestly powers for the service of His people. | As the Father sent Me, so am I sending you. John 20:21 | Hands laid on head - "Grant to these Your servants the dignity of priesthood." |
| Marriage | He blesses the union of husband and wife with loyalty and love. | What God has witnessed, man must not divide. Matthew 19:6 | Hands joined - "I take you to be my wife. I take you to be my husband." |
The Sacraments are sacred signs of God's love and concern for us.
They invite us, heal us, and call us to service.
They invite us to experience the Christian life:
| | Past | Today | Tomorrow |
| Baptism Signifies our immersion in the Christian life and marks our spiritual rebirth in the Church | Jesus calls people to follow him and invited them into community and the life of God. | We call people to follow Jesus and invite them into our community. | We look forward to and work for the day when all people will be in unity. |
| Confirmation Seals our Baptism and confirms our commitment booth to church and to the work of Christ in the world. | Jesus communicated his spirit to people and strengthened them. | We communicate the spirit of Jesus to people and strengthen them. | We announce that all can be filled and strengthened by the spirit of God. |
| Eucharist Celebrates our life together as a community, the presence of Christ among us, the Word that is proclaimed and explained, in the many dimensions of the Pascal mystery of death and rebirth. | Jesus ate with sinners and was present to them. | We share Christ's real presence today under the signs of bread and wine. | We anticipate the day when all people will be fed and will find God close to them. |
They heal us in soul and body as God's power is revealed to us:
| | Past | Today | Tomorrow |
| Reconciliation Celebrates and reminds us of God's mercy and helps us to experience divine forgiveness, to forgive ourselves and to become reconciled with others. | Jesus called all to conversion and forgave those who were repentant. | We are called to conversion, we ask for forgiveness, and we forgive others | We know that forgiveness and reconciliation are always possible with God's help. |
| Anointing Celebrates and reminds us of God's compassion and helps us to experience spiritual - and sometimes physical - strengthening when we are ill. | Jesus healed the suffering in body and soul. | We ask God's healing when we are sick and suffering. | We hope and work for the relief of all suffering in the world. |
They call us to the service of community and others:
| | Past | Today | Tomorrow |
| Marriage Joins two people in a lifetime dedication to each other's well-being and the well-being of their children and community. | Jesus called spouses to unconditional love and lasting fidelity in imitation of His love and fidelity. | We honor and expect unconditional love and lasting fidelity between spouses. | We believe in and help others to find happiness in marital love and fidelity. |
| Holy Orders Integrates men into the holy orders of bishop, priest, and deacon. Empowering them for a lifetime of leadership and service in the Church. | Jesus appointed 12 to minister in a special way. | We ordain certain members of the community to minister and lead us in the sacraments. | We raise up future ministers by proclaiming that ordained ministry is a special vocation of Christians. |
What are the Sacraments